Page 23 of Hunted By the Masked BRATVA
And the names. God, the names.
Bratva bosses. Politicians. Businessmen who've built empires on Troskoy's dirty money. They're all in here, documented in Troskoy's own encrypted files because the bastard kept insurance on everyone.
He just never thought anyone would be able to crack his security.
I check the timer. Two hours until the files go out. Two hours to make sure Konstantin's safe before I burn Troskoy's entire world to ash.
My phone buzzes. Konstantin.
I answer immediately. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." His voice is tight. "Leonid wants to meet tomorrow. Says he needs time to think about my request."
Relief and suspicion war in my chest. "That seems too easy."
"I know." There's a pause, and I hear traffic in the background. "That's why I'm coming back to you. We're not waiting around to see what he decides."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying we send those files tonight. Then we leave. Together."
My heart clenches. "You'd really walk away? Just like that?"
"Emilia." His voice drops, turns rough. "I'd burn the entire city down if it meant keeping you safe. Walking away is nothing."
I close my eyes, letting his words wash over me. Three days ago, I was alone. Three days ago, I thought the only thing I had left was revenge.
Now I have Konstantin. And revenge. And maybe even a future.
"Okay," I say. "Come back. We'll send the files and figure out our next move."
"Twenty minutes."
He hangs up, and I force myself to breathe. Twenty minutes. Then we'll be together, and we'll finish this.
I turn back to the monitors, checking the file distribution one more time. Everything's ready. All I have to do is change the timer from two hours to immediate, and Artur Troskoy's empire crumbles.
My computer chimes. An email, from an address I don't recognize.
The subject line reads: "You're making a mistake."
I stare at it for a long moment before opening it.
The message is short: "Troskoy knows about the accounts. He knows someone's been digging through his files. If you release those documents now, he'll disappear before the authorities can move. Wait. Give them time to position assets. I'll send you the signal when it's time."
There's no signature. No clue who sent it.
I should delete it. Should assume it's Troskoy trying to buy himself time, or one of his partners trying to delay the inevitable.
But something about the message nags at me.
If Troskoy knows someone's in his files, why hasn't he already run? Why is he still in town, still conducting business like nothing's wrong?
Unless he's setting a trap.
My phone rings. Unknown number.
I answer cautiously. "Hello?"
